US Army Corps of Engineers

HUNTSVlLLE SUPPORT ENGINEERING CENTER

DEFENSEENVIRONMENTALRESTORATIONPROGRAM FOR FORMERLYUSEDDEFENSESITES ORDNANCEANDEXPLOSIVES CHEMICALWARFAREMATERIALS

ARCHIVES

SEARCH FINDINGS

REPORT

EL CENTRO ROCKET TARGET RANGE NO. 1(#92)

ELCENTRO,CALIFORNIA

PROJECT No.JOSCAOl4601 SEPTEMBER1996

PREPARED BY

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGLNEERS ST. LOUIS DISTRICT

ORDNANCEANDEXPLOSIVES CHEMICALWARFAFSMATERL4LS ARCHES SEARCHREPORT FINDINGS FOR EL CENTROROCKETTARGETRANGENo. 1(#92) ELCENTRO,CALIFORNIA IMFERL~LC~~~ PROJECT No. J09CA014601 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 INTRODUCTION Authority Subject Purpose Scope PREVIOUSSITE INVESTIGATIONS Corps of Engineers Documents Other Reports SITE DESCRIPTION Land Usage Climatic Data Geology and Soils Hydrology Ecology Demographics HISTORICAL ORDNANCEUSAGE Historical Site Summary Review of Historical Records Summary of Interviews Air Photo Interpretation and Map Analysis REAL ESTATE Confirmed DOD Ownership Potential DOD Ownership Significant Past Ownership other than DOD Present Ownership 1 l-l l-l l-l 1-2 2-l 2-l 3-l 3-l 3-2 3-4 3-5 3-6 4-l 4-3 4-9 4-9 5-l 5-1 5-l 5-l

2.0 2.1 2.2 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

6.0 7.0 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 9.0

SITE INSPECTION EVALUATIONOFORDNANCE PRESENCE TECHNICALDATAOFORDNANCEANDE~~LOS~~~ Ordnance Related Mission Description of Ordnance Reference EVALUATIONOFOTHERSITEINFORMATION APPENDICES

6-l 7-l 8-l 8-l 8-l 9-l e

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

References Glossary and Acronyms Text / Manuals Reports / Studies Letters / Memoranda / Miscellaneous Items Real Estate Documents Newspapers / Journals (Not Used) Interviews Present Site Photographs Historical Photographs (Not Used) Historical Maps / Drawings Site Safety and Health Plan / Site Inspection Report Report Distribution List REPORT PLATES

pLATE 1 2 3 4 5 6

DESCRIPTION Location Map Site Map Location of Found Ordnance Photo Locations Aerial Photo Interpretation - 1949 Aerial Photo Interpretation - 1973 JJ.ISTORICAL. PLATES

Historical Plate 1 - Status of Targets (See APPENDIX K) 2

ORDNANCEANDEXPLOSIVES CHEMICALWARFAREMATEXULS
ARCHIVESSEARCHREPORT FINDINGS

FOR ELCENTROROCKET TARGETRANGENO. 1(#92) ELCENTRO,CALIFORNIA IMI'ERI&COUNTY PROJECT JO9CAO14601 No.

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Authority In 1986, Congress established the Defense Environmental Restoration Program at 10 U.S. C. 2701 et.seq. This program directed the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program of environmental restoration at facilities under the jurisdiction of the secretary. In March, 1990, the EPA issued a revised National Contingency Plan. Under 40 C.F.R. 300.120, EPA designated DOD to be the removal response authority for incidents involving DOD military weapons and munitions under the jurisdiction, custody and control of DOD. Since the beginning of this program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been the agency responsible for environmental restoration at Formerly-Used Defense Sites (FUDS). Since 1990, the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, has been the Mandatory Center of Expertise and Design Center for Ordnance and Explosives. 1.2 Subject The former El Centro Rocket Target #1(92) (between 400 and 480 acres), located in Imperial County, CA, situated in Section 25, Township 14 South, Range 12 East, was acquired by the Eleventh Naval District in 1945 for use as a practice rocket, bombing, and strafing target for Fleet Unit training. The Navy discontinued use of the site in October 1946. 1.3 Purpose This Archives Search Report (ASR) compiles information obtained through historical research at various archives and records holding facilities, interviews l-l

with individuals associated with the site or its operations, and personal visits to the site. All efforts were directed towards determining possible use or disposal of ordnance on site. Particular emphasis was placed on establishing the types, quantities and area of disposal. Information obtained during this process was used in developing recommendations for further actions at the site. 1.4 &&e The area consisting of 480 acres was considered in assessing the potential for ordnance and explosives. Based on research, chemical warfare material contamination is not a concern.

l-2

2.0 Previous

Site InvestiPations

2.1 Corps of Engineers Documents U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (CESPL), prepared an Inventory Project Report (INPR) for the former El Centro Rocket Target Range No. 1(#92), Project No. J09CA014601, dated 22 September 1993. A site visit was conducted by Science Applications International Corporation personnel on 3 May 1993. Hazards were encountered during the site visit. A RAC score of 4 was assigned by CEHND-PM-SO on 1 February 1995 and an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EEKA) was prepared on 2 February 1995. Copies of this information are in APPENDIX D. CESPL did not identify any environmental concerns other than the potential for OE. 2.2 Other Reports Research did not uncover any other reports on this site.

2-l

3.0

Site Descridion

3.1 Land Usage The former El Centro Rocket Target #l (92) is located in Imperial County, CA, situated in Section 25, Township 14 South, and Range 12 East. The site is approximately 5.9 miles west of State Highway 86. Directions from Imperial Avenue and Main Street in El Centro: proceed north 8.4 miles, left on Keystone (3 miles), right on Forrester (0.9 miles), left on Imler (3.1 miles) to the east edge of Section 25. The Eleventh Naval District acquired the land in 1945 for use as a practice rocket, bombing, and strafing target for Fleet Unit training. Prior to Naval acquisition, the land was uncultivated and undeveloped. The Navy discontinued use of the site in October of 1946. It remains unclear who has jurisdiction of the former target area but the land itself remains uncuItivated, undeveloped, rough desert land (Vanantwerp 1993). 3.2 Climatic Data The Imperial Valley of California has a desert climate and records a higher percentage of sunshine than any other place in the United States. The amount of possible sunshine fluctuates between 97%, occurring in June, and 82%, occurring in December. The summers are long and hot with afternoon temperatures reaching 100 F and higher on the average. The highest temperature recorded at the climatological station at Yuma, Arizona was at 122 F in 1990. The highest daily average temperature of 106.6 F occurs during July. December and January are the only two months that have an average daily high below 70 F, with temperatures of 68.5 F and 68.7 F, respectiveIy. December through February are the only three months with an average daily low temperature below 50 F, falling between 44 F and 45 F. The average annual daily high temperature is 87.9 F, the low is 60.5F, and the monthly mean is 74.2 F. Precipitation is sparse with an annual average precipitation of only 3.17 inches. Moisture laden air from the Gulf of California continually invades the area during the summer months. The highest mean monthly precipitation of 0.64 inches occurs during August. May and June record the lowest mean monthly precipitation at 0.04 and 0.02 inches, respectively. The maximum monthly recorded precipitation of 3.44 inches, also the maximum recorded precipitation in a 24 hour period, occurred in August 1989. The minimum monthly recorded precipitation of 0.00 inches occurred in May 1983.

3-1

The relative humidity ranges from 30% to 50%, and it is higher in the winter and lower in the summer. On a daily basis, the relative humidity is usually higher in the early morning and lower in the early evening. The mean annual wind speed is 7.8 mph with a prevailing direction of north. The prevailing wind direction for summer is south southeast; for fall and winter is north; and for spring is west northwest. Climatological data for this area are summarized in TABLE 3-1. Data were collected at the National Weather Service meteorological station at Yuma, Arizona.
TABLE 3-1 CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA YUMA,~ARIZONA

3.3 Geology and Soils 3.3.1 GeologyPhysiography The El Centro Rocket Target #l site is located in the Salton Trough section of the Basin and Range physiographic province. This section is characterized by desert alluvial slopes and deltaic plains. The site is located just over fifty miles to the 3-2

north of the northern tip of the Gulf of California. The Salton Trough is a rift valley that owes its existence to the same tectonic forces that created the gulf. Structurally, the Salton Trough section is a complexly faulted graben. There are three major northwest-trending fault systems in the southwestern portion of Imperial County. The faults are, from northeast to southwest, the San Andreas, San Jacinto, and Elsinore faults. These faults exhibit right-lateral and vertical movement. The site is at sea level and is located on ancient lake beds of Cenozoic age. The sediments are of the ancient Lake Cahuilla and playa lakes. The formation is composed of tan and gray fossiliferous clay, silt, sand and gravel. Also found in the site area is Quaternary age alluvium. This formation consists of unconsolidated clay, silt, sand, and gravel occurring primarily as valley fill and streamwash deposits (Morton 1966). 3.3.2 Soils The majority of the soils on the surface of the El Centro #1 site are nearly level, very deep, well drained, nearly level soils on flood plains. They were formed in alluvial or eolian sands from diverse sources. Typically the surface layer of the soil is pinkish gray silty sandy clay about 13 inches thick. The surface texture is clayey or gravelly. The underlying material is light brown stratified clayey silty sand to a depth over 60 inches. Permeability is moderately slow, and available water capacity is very high. The surface layer is slightly saline. Surface runoff is slow. The hazard of erosion is slight, although many areas have rills, gullies, and occasional deep arroyos from geologic erosion. the hazard of soil blowing is moderate (Zimmerman 1981). A typical profile of the site soil is given in TABLE 3-2. TABLE 3-2 SOIL PROFILE

DEPT (Z) O-13

SOIL DESCRIPTION

PERCENTAGEPASSING SIEVE NUMBER #4 #40 100 95-100 #200 70-80 75-95

LIQUID LIMIT

PLASTICITY INDEX NP-10 15-30

Silty sandyclay Clayeysandysilt

100 100

20-30 35-45

13-60

Tablemodifiedfrom Soil Surveyof Imperial County, CA. 3-3

3.4 Hydrology 3.4.1 Surface Water The study site is located within the Imperial Valley of California. The terrain of Imperial Valley consists mostly of smooth plains. Approximately 50% to 80% of the local relief, which is between 100 and 300 feet, is gently sloping. A large part of the terrain of Imperial Valley is below sea level. The elevation of the water surface for the Salton Sea, located within Imperial Valley, is 228 feet below sea level. The soil in Imperial Valley of California is warm and dry, with a mean annual temperature higher than 47 F. The western and southern sections of California have very low frost penetration amounts. The average frost penetration for the study site is between zero and 3 inches while the depth of extreme frost penetration is only about 5 inches. The soil in this region is sandy and generally lacks moisture. Evaporation is high due to the plentiful amounts of sunshine and the hot, dry conditions. The vegetation that grows naturally in this area is mostly brush and shrublands. The Imperial Valley is generally vulnerable to droughts which may last several years. The principle water use of Imperial Valley is for irrigation. provided by an extensive network of canals for irrigation. Fresh,surface water is

The average concentration of sediment in the rivers is generally high, between 15,000 and 30,000 parts per million. The prevalent type of chemicals naturally in the rivers are sodium, potassium, sulfate and chloride. The concentration of dissolved minerals in the ground water is low with less than 1000 parts per million. Natural drainage occurs through washes, draws and gullies (trenches cut out by the natural drainage of runoff from precipitation). These trenches are dry in times of no precipitation. A wash is the largest type of trench drainage, gullies are the smallest, and draws are usually in between. These natural runoff drainage trenches empty into rivers or canals. Flooding at the site is unlikely because of the small amount of precipitation and the porous nature of the sandy soils throughout Imperial Valley. Imperial Valley generally drains in a southern direction. The Alamo River, New River and the Western Main Canal all originate at the Salton Sea and flow south into the All American Canal. The Coachella Canal which originates at the Colorado Aqueduct near Coachella, California also flows south, just east of and parallel to the others. These four water systems empty into the All American Canal. The All American Canal flows east along the Mexican border and empties into the Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona. The Colorado River flows south and empties into the Gulf of California.

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El Centro Rocket Target Range #l is in relatively flat terrain. The elevation ranges from a high of about 60 feet above sea level to a low of about 60 feet below sea level. The area drains east into Fillaree Canal and Thistle Canal, both of which drain into the New River. While no gage data is available at this site, the U.S. Geological Service (U.S.G.S.) maintains gages on some of the major rivers located within the general area. One gage, covering 14 years of continuous record, located on the Alamo River at Calipatria, California, recorded a maximum discharge of 6770 cfs in January 1993. The minimum recorded discharge, 1080 cfs, occurred in August 1990. The maximum recorded stage, 7.20 feet, occurred in January 1993, equivalent to an elevation of 189.20 feet. Another gage, on the New River near Westmoreland, California, has 32 years of continuous record. It recorded a maximum discharge of 3000 cfs in August 1977, and its minimum recorded flow of 691 cfs occurred in January 1966. No stage data is provided for this gage site. 3.4.1 Ground Water The El Centro Rocket Target #1 site area is underlain by a regionally extensive system of desert basins. These desert or drainage basins receive the majority of their recharge from precipitation runoff from the surrounding mountains and the Salton Sea to the north. The water is absorbed and held by the coarse-grained Quaternary alluvial sediments. The water is therefore unconfined. The depth to groundwater fluctuates greatly due to the surplus or lack of precipitation in the area. The land is dry and must be irrigated to be used for pastureland or farmland. There are extensive irrigation systems throughout the surrounding areas for both domestic and farm use. 3.5 &&gy The information provided for this site was compiled from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Game Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB). The following federally-listed species may occur in the vicinity of the El Centro Rocket Target #1 Site: desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius), endangered; southwestern arroyo toad (Bufo microscauhus californicus), endangered; flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrvnosoma mcallii), proposed threatened; Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia), threatened; southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), endangered, American peregrine falcon (Falco pereerinus anatum), endangered; Yuma clapper rail (Rallus 1onPirostris yumanensis), endangered; and Mexican flannelbush (Fremontodendron mexicanurn], proposed endangered. 3-5

The NDDB records did not list any species of state concern in the vicinity of the El Centro Rocket Target #1 Site. No additional information on the occurrence of rare or endangered species or natural communities is known at this time. This does not mean that other state or federally-listed species may not be present within the areas of interest. An on site inspection by appropriate state and federal personnel may be necessary to verify the presence, absence or location of listed species, or natural communities if remedial action is recommended as part of the final ABR. 3.6 Demographics 3.6.1 Center of Activity The El Centro Target #l site is located near the city of El Centro, Imperial County, California. 3.6.2 Population Density CITY/COUNTY AREA (sq. mi.) POPULATION CITY: El Centro N/A* 31,384 COUNTY: Imperial 4.173 109,303

11

26.2 POP DENSITY N/A* nml3. n--..l^L:-- uena~~~ :- ..-I*^ - ^__^-^ -^- ^-._^-^ -:I..J^--:L-:- IS 11.1 NC, II!,: rupu,auo~~ UIIIW par-auuspc~~ aquar~t: ILU,CS. * N/A denotes data which were not available to this study.

3.6.3 Types of Businesses and Industry The number of business establishments in Imperial County can be broken down by type as follows: manufacturing 3.0%; agriculture 3.6%; services 28.3%; trade and financial 48.3%; and other 16.8%. Of the people employed in Imperial County, 21.6% are employed by classified businesses. Trade and financial firms employ 50% of the working population, and the service industry employs 20.5%. 7.6% of the people employed work in manufacturing businesses, and 0.3% are employed by unclassified businesses. Foregoing percentages are from March 1991. 3.6.4 Types of Housing Housing in El Centro is composed of both single family and multi-family dwellings. The median value of 4,015 specified owner-occupied housing units in El Centro is $79,100. 3-6

3.6.5 New Development in the Area No new development in the area, except for residential dwellings. 3.6.6 Typical cross section of the Population The part of the population under the age of 18 is 35.8%, and the part over the age of 65 is 8.0%. The median age is 30 years. 3.6.7 Information Sources U.S. Census report as listed below: 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Imperial County, California 1990 Census of Population and Housing, El Centro, California 1988 County and City Data Book, Land Area and Population, Imperial County, California 1988 County and City Data Book, Land Area and Population, El Centro, California 1991 County Business Patterns, Imperial County

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4.0 Site 4.1 Historical Site Summarv 4.1.1 General History 4.1.1.1 El Centro Naval Air Facility Since 1942, Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro has had several names: Marine Corps Air Station; Naval Auxiliary Landing Field; Naval Air Station and the National Parachute Test Range. El Centro, with 92% fine flying weather and long, flat, sandy terrain, proved to be an ideal location for tactical problems and gunnery practice. Construction began on 943 leased and 949 purchased acres on May 15, 1942, and in less than seven months, the base began flight operations. The establishment and placement of the Marine Base Defense Aircraft Group 43 at El Centro in 1943 added to the growth of the station. Other facilities, beyond the station area, included: a rocket range, rocket ground school, skeet and rifle ranges, malfunction and turret ranges for gunnery students and a rabbit range. In the 1940s, Imperial Valley also housed the Salton Sea and Holtville Auxiliary Air Stations. The facility at El Centro, however, was the largest and most active (Coletta 1985; USNAF n.d.; HQUSMCAS 1945). During World War II, the Naval Air Facility maintained a series of air-to-ground gunnery targets. In addition, the station received specific tasks in connection with the Chocolate Mountain Gunnery Range to the northeast and the Carrizzo Impact Area to the northwest. The El Centro NAF also investigated plane crashes from Tucson, AZ, to San Diego, CA (USNASEL 1949). In 1947, the Parachute Experimental Division moved from Lakehurst, New Jersey to El Centro. The Secretary of the Navy issued a directive in October 1949 that changed the designation of El Centro from a Naval Air Station to a Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Also, El Centro established a Fleet Gunnery Unit in 1949 that provided support for squadrons conducting gunnery, bombing and carrier landing practice (USNAAS 1950). In 1986, the NAFs base operating support functional areas were contracted to a civilian firm. Currently, the 2,289 acre base, which has control over an additional 54,000 acres, has a complement of nearly 400 military and 260 civilian personnel. Aerial combat maneuvering, air-to-air gunnery and bombing practice, along with electronic warfare training, are major activities at the El Centro NAF. The NAF is the second largest employer in the Imperial Valley. (USNAF n.d.)

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4.1.1.2 El Centro Rocket Target #1(92) In 1945, the Eleventh Naval District acquired between approximately 400 and 480 acres of desert land to establish Rocket Target #I The Navy acquired the site for use as a rocket, bombing, and strafing target for Fleet Unit training. The Commander of the 11th Naval District on April 23,1945, changed the numbering system of all the El Centro targets. El Centro target #l became El Centro target #92. The Navy discontinued use of Target #92 on October 24,1946. After disposal, the site remained uncultivated, undeveloped, rough desert land. Current ownership of the property remains unclear. Maps obtained at the Bureau of Land Management in El Centro shows the former Naval rocket target property overlapping with current Naval bombing range property. However, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in San Diego states that the BLM has jurisdiction over the entire former target area. The site visit conducted by the St. Louis District encompassed the entire 480 acres (Bernhard 1945; Vanantwerp 1993; 11th Naval District 1947; Navy Department 1946). 4.1.2 OE/CWM Activities 4.1.2.1 El Centro Naval Air Facility Various types of ordnance were in use at El Centro NAF during the years of operation of its off-site ranges. Items on hand in 1946 included: Bomb S.A.P. lOOO# ANM-59; Bomb, Water-fillable lOOO#MK7; Bomb, Water-fillable 500# MK 21; FS Smoke, Mixture 800# drums. Training requirements in 1946 included: 100,500, and lOOO#GP Bombs; small arms ammunition--.30-cal, .50 cal and 20 mm; 5 HVAR; 11.75 Rocket (Tiny Tim) and the Sub-Caliber Aircraft Rocket (SCAR). Possession of surplus small arms ammunition in 1946 included: .30 cal Tracer Ml (180,235); .30-cal Incendiary Ml (375,000); .30-cal A.P. M2 (125,000) and .30-cal links Ml (40,000). A hand written note indicates the possibility that these surplus items were shipped to Fall Brook Naval Ammunition Depot in Oceanside, California (HQ Naval Air Bases n.d.; United States Pacific Fleet 1946; Naval Air Bases 1946). In 1947, an NAF El Centro officer engaged in the demolition of dud rockets and bombs once each month on the aviation practice ranges (11th Naval District 1947b). Documents stating which ranges this activity occurred on were not found by the research team. Records did not indicate the use of any chemical warfare materials. 4.1.2.2 El Centro Rocket Target #l (92) The St. Louis District failed to procure specific documentation pertaining to the type of ordnance used on El Centro Rocket Target #1(92). However, ordnance
4-2

reported in the area (as stated in the INPR) has included: one 50-caliber shell (live), multiple practice bomb remnants, multiple blasting caps/fuses (these were most likely the electrical cables/connectors for the 2.25 and/or 3.25 rockets) and a twostrand wire. During a February 1996 site visit to the former target, St. Louis personnel found a tail boom from a 251bpractice bomb, MK 76; a tail tube assembly from a 251bMK 76; several scattered MK 76s; a 20mm dummy (early 1970s)with a cartridge case marked MK5 Mod 0; a projectile marked MK 14 Mod 0 and an electrical cable for 2.25 and 3.25 rockets. 4.2 Review of Historical Records Records relating to the history of El Centro Rocket Target #1(#92) were gathered from the following sources between December 1995 and February 1996. The research team consisted of Rochelle Ross and Theresa Williams-Dye, CELMS-PM-M, and David Tajkowski, and John Daly CELMS-PD-R. Decisions about which record groups to examine at the various national, state, and local archives and records centers were made by consulting finding aids, archivists and records managers Through the use of finding aids, such as inventories and master accessionlists, the researchers were able to focus on those record groups they thought would be most fruitful before calling, or visiting, various repositories.

National Archives 8th and Pennsylvania Washington, D.C. 20408

RG 72

Records of the Bureau of Aeronautics (NAVY) Box 2323, General Correspondence, 1943-45, KV 91 Et 14, Dv 39 Vo12 (no entry number). Contained the following information: acquisition of Permit for use of land for rocket target, El Centro MCAS; lease of additional land for El Centro Bombing Target #l; El Centro MCAS Gunnery Training Facilities; accessroads to El Centro Rocket Target #s 1 & 2. Entry 67, Box 274, Confidential Correspondence, 1922-47 (1945), Kv to Kv 58. Entry 17A, Box 980, Confidential Correspondence, 1922-44 (19421,K7Kv41. Contained a map showing the El Centro NAS Plot Plan (Nov 4, 1942).

RG 49

Records of the Bureau of Land Management Abandoned Military Reservations File, CA-Fort Reading to Fort Collins, Boxes 25 & 27. No information on El Centro or Holtville.
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National Archives-Suitland Branch Washington National Records Center 4205 Suitlaud Road Suitland, MD 20409

RG 127

Records of the United States Marine Corps Office of the Commandant, General Correspondence, Box 1845, Jan 1939-June 1950,2785-2385. Contained a file on the El Centro MCAS, no pertinent information. Records of the Chemical Warfare Service Entry 2, Box 450, Index Briefs 19X3-42, Samples-Schedule. Entry 2, Box 448, Index Briefs 1918-1942, Sales-Samples Entry 2, Box 259, Index Briefs 1918-1942, Hig-Hooker Entry 2, Box 175, Index Briefs 1918-1942, Education-Electric Records of the Bureau of Ordnance (Navy) Entry 1529, Box 1282, ND7-NDll, 1945. Req. disposition of 752 MK 6 Mod 1 parachute flares at NAAS Holtville. .Entry 5595, Box 209, NDlO-ND12 1947. The following information was copied from this box: request for ammunition, MCAS El Centro (2.25 Rocket SCARS, 8000 rounds); disposal officer has been acquired to effect demolitions of dud rockets and bombs on the El Centro Aviation Practice Ranges; discontinuance of target and bombing ranges (#s 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 69, 77, 90 & 91). Entry 25, Box 362, KV37-NA8, 1943. Monthly ammunition allotment, MCAS El Centro. Entry 25, Box 453, KVS-LL, 1943. This box contained information on empty drums for FS Smoke Mixture and a request for ammunition and watertillable bombs MCAS El Centro. Entry 4444, Box 194, KV thru Ll-1,1946. rocket firers. Receipt for shipment of

RG 175

RG 74

Entry 4444, Box 193, Kw579 thru Kv, 1946. Entry 1529, Box 374, F4 l-10, 1945. Entry 4444, Box 287, ND&NDll, 1946. Training for a four month period, 1,224 Tiny Tims, 53,292 SCARS, 11,176 lOO# H20 tilled, 2,500 3.5 ARS. 4-4

Entry 1529, Boxes 373,376 & 377,1216 & 1283. Entry 4444, Boxes X4-156,264 & 288. Entry 25, Boxes 187 & 188,248,386 & 515. Entry 5595, Boxes 100 & 101,130 & 197. RG 72 Records of the Bureau of Aeronautics Entry 69A2454, Box 2 & 3, California. Holtville Naval Auxiliary Air Station. Declaration of Surplus for the

RG 143

Records of the Bureau of Supplies and Accounts (NAVY) AI1 requests for RG 143 were unsuccessful.
Washington National Record 4205 Suitland Road Suitland, MD 20409 Center

Based on the finding aids available at this repository and due to the nature of the site, no boxes were requested.

National

Archives at College Park 8201 Adelphi Rd College Park, MD 20740

RG 48

Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior Entry 748, Boxes 44,45,92,142, 149,162 & 748. Entry 749, Boxes 3218,3219 & 3220. Entry 942, Not Found

Naval Historical Center/AR Washington Naval Yard 901 M Street S.E. Washington, D.C. 20374

Aviation History Files, 11th Naval District, Boxes 210, 212, 221, 290, 292 & 391. Information copied included: histories on El Centro MCAS and Holtville NAAS; 11th Naval District Directory of Naval Air Bases; chronologies of El Centro and Holtville NAAS; rounds expended by fleet units (El Centro NAAS).

United States Marine Corps Historical Washington Naval Yard 901 M Street S.E. Washington, D.C. 20374

Center

Additional histories on El Centro were reviewed along with information on the Twenty-nine Palms Marine Corps Base. No copies were made at this repository.

Chemical and Biological Defense Agency Historical AMSCB-CIH Aberdeen Proving Ground Edgewood, MD 21010 All pertinent information was faxed to the St. Louis District. National Archives-Pacific Southwest Region 24000 Avila Rd Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-6719

Office

RG 181

Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments Box 38, File Nl-9,llth Naval District General Correspondence 1925 1952. Naval and Marine flying within Western Air Defense Zone; survey of shore activities; mission of El Centro NAAS and a historical report on Holtville NAAS. Box 39, File Nl-N3, 11th Naval District General Correspondence 19251952. Danger area-El Centro Gunnery Range for MCAS. Box 422, File NA-NA, 11th Naval District General Correspondence 1925-1952. Land occupied by rocket target #103; free gunnery range facilities located near El Centro; rocket stowage at El Centro NAS; permit for movable target range for El Centro MCAS and investigation of wrongful release of bombs near El Centro MCAS. Box 57, File CF20C/SF20C/1943, 11th Naval District Formerly Classified Correspondence 1921-47. Board report of investigation of additional facilities requested at the Marine Corps Air Stations on the west coast.

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Box 424, File NA(2), 11th Naval District General Correspondence 1924-1955. Price of construction for Holtville Outdoor Gunnery Range; acquisition of land for bombing targets and rental price for Holtville Target #l. Additional boxes viewed under RG 181 at the Pacific Southwest Archives included: Boxes 5, 56,116, 119,421,423,427, & 435. RG 270 Records of the War Assets Administration Boxes 63 & 64, File Hollister-Holtville, Real Property Case Files. Federal Record Center-Pacific Southwest Region 24000 Avila Rd Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-6719 Based upon the finding aids and on the opinion of the consulting archivist, no boxes were requested at this repository. National Personnel Record Center-Military 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132 Branch

Based upon the finding aids and on the opinion of the consulting archivist, no boxes were requested at this repository. USACOE-Los Angeles District 300 Los Angeles Ave Los Angeles, CA 90053 Information gathered at the L.A. Corps of Engineers included reports of previous site visits, along with real estate data. National Archives-Pacific Sierra Region 1000 Commodore Dr. San Bruno, CA 94066

RG 291

Records of the Property Management and Disposal Service Series 9NSS-121-90-002, Box 59, File B-CalifSalton Sea Test Base. File contained regional information on El Centro.

Federal Record Center-Pacific Sierra Region 1000 Commodore Dr. San Bruno, CA 94066 Based on the consultation of the archivists and the corresponding finding aids, no documents were requested at this repository.

NAVFAC Historians Office Seabee Museum Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme, CA 93043 Maps of the El Centro NAAS and of Imperial County (showing bombing targets). Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest Division 1220 Pacific Hwy, Code 2421 San Diego, CA 921325190 A Land Acquisition Map of range 2512 (East Mesa) and a Real Estate Summary Map of Imperial County (dated 7-l-65) were available at this repository. U.S. Department of the Navy Public Works Department (Code 341) Naval Air Facility El Centro, CA 92243-5001 A Historic and Archeological Resources Protection Plan for Naval Air Facility, El Centro (October 1994) and additional Land Acquisition Maps were copied at El Centro NAS. U.S. Department of the Navy Base Library Naval Air Facility El Centro, CA 92243-5001 The base library contained a series of scrapbooks on the history and social activities of El Centro.

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Bureau of Land Management El Centro Resource Office 1661 South Fourth St. El Centro, CA 92243 Items procured included a Desert Access Guide to Imperial Valley California and BLM jurisdiction and site accessmaps. Combat Heritage Museum Holtville Airport Holtville, CA 92250 Base newspapers of the Holtville Auxiliary Naval Air Station were available for viewing. BARSA Inc. 422 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, CA 92243 Maps on Imperial County and the State of California were available at this repository. 4.3 Summary of Interviews None of the individuals interviewed, personnel from the Naval Amphibious Base, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, El Centro Naval Air Facility, EOD (Naval, Army, and Marines), and local residents, knew this range had ever existed. 4.4 Air Photo Interpretation 4.4.1 Air Photo Interpretation Photographic analysis and land-use interpretation were performed using the following photographic sources: PhotoPraphv Date 22 Feb 1949 Sc&e 1:20,000 Source National Archives Frame Identifier(s) ABN-4F 85 thru 91 ABN47 130 thru 136 ABN-4F 174 thru 180 and Map Analysis

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03 May 1953 04 May 1959 27 Nov 1959 06 Jun 1965 26 Apr 1973 16 Sep 1979 03 act 1992

1:23,600 1:20,000 1:20,000 1:20,000 1:40,000 1:40,000 1:40,000

EROS Ascs Ascs ASCS Ascs Ascs Ascs

GS-YQ 2-113 thru 117 GS-YQ 4-139 thru 143 ABN 4W 60 thru 62 ABN 14W 57thru 59 ABN 2FF 15 thru 17 ABN 2FF 56 thru 58 472 74 thru 76 179 41 thru 41 192 27 thru 28 192 51 thru 52

The photography was referenced using the 1957 (photorevised 1979) edition USGS Brawley NW, California 7.5 quadrangle. The photography from the years stated above were analyzed and no evidence of ordnance related activity was seen. 4.4.2 Map Analysis Map analysis was performed using the 1957 (photorevised 1979) edition USGS Brawley NW, California 7.5 quadrangle. Planimetric and topographic features are show on the quadrangle. The planimetric features include buildings, loose and hard surface roads, powerlines and levees. The topography of the area is gently rising terrain to the southwest. Vegetation is sparse and low lying. The site area lies on flat terrain.

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5.0 Real Estate

5.1 Confirmed DOD Ownership Historical information indicates that the Navy acquired approximately 400 acres. Approximately 80 of these 400 acres, the south $6of the southwest 1/4 Section 25, of Township 14 South, Range 12 East, was acquired from a private individual. The remaining 320 acres, the east 1% said Section 25, was acquired by temporary of permit from the Department of Interior. 5.2 Potential DOD Ownership Historical records indicate that the Navy was interested in an additional 80 acres (north % of the southwest /4of Section 25, Range 12 East, Township 14 South). But no information was available concerning whether a lease was ever acquired. 5.3 Significant Past Ownership other than DOD There is no significant past ownership other than DOD. * 5.4 Present Ownership There are discrepancies between the Navy and BLM regarding ownership of the former range. The BLMs Desert Access Guide #22 identifies the southwest /4and the west /z of the east 1/ of Section 25 is within the Navys Live Bombing Area. However, the Naval records do not show any ownership of the land. More detailed information is in the INPR located in APPENDIX D.

4D

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6.0 Site We began the site inspection in the northwest corner of El Centro Rocket Target Range #l and criss-crossed through the area, covering a good portion of the property. We found several pieces of ordnance related items and scrap, including 2-prong electrical connector plugs and nozzle closures for 2.25 and/or 3.25 rocket motors which were scattered throughout the range. The description of these items and their location are: Descriotion Tail Boom from a 25-lb practice bomb, MK 76 Tail Tube Assembly from 25-lb, MK 76 Several scattered MK 76s 20mm Dummy; early 1970s manufacture, cartridge case marked Mk 5 Mod 0 and projectile marked Mk 14 Mod 0 None of the items found were hazardous. Location N 325531.7 W 1154024.9 (PG 24020 43613) N 32528.3 W 1154030.6 N 32528.3 W 1154030.6 N 32O5517.3W 1154127.6

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7.0 Evaluation

of Ordnance

Presence

During the site inspection completed in 1993, the following ordnance items were uncovered: one .50-cal shell (live), multiple blasting caps/fuses, multiple practice bomb remnants, and a two-strand wire. Based on what was found during the site visit in February 1996, the blasting caps/fuses referred to in the INPR were most likely the two-prong electrical connectors and nozzle closures from either 2.25 or 3.25 rockets. It is unlikely that one would find several blasting caps. NOTE: All locations were fmed with a Trimble Scout hand-held GPS using mapping datum North American 1927. The site visit conducted in February 1996 uncovered several other items. A tail boom from a 25-lb. practice bomb of the MK 76 series was found at N 32 55 26.8, W 115 40 27.6/PG 23952 43461. Several scattered tail tube assemblies (tail boom and fins) from MK 76 practice bombs, painted orange, were located at N 32 55 28.3, W 115 40 30.6/PG 23873 43509. Unidentified apparatus was found at N 32 54 58.7, W 115 41 27.6/PG 22898 42584. There were wooden posts with numerous nails scattered about and several spring-loaded metal rods and metal brackets. Its possible this could have been part of a moving target. A single 20mm dummy round was found at N 32 55 17.3, W 115 41 27.6/PG 22396 43151. The cartridge case is a MK 5 Mod 0 and the projectile portion is MK 14 Mod 0. This exact dummy round could not be referenced in any of our publications. It bears the date stamp of 1973, suggesting more recent activity. It was a bit of a puzzle trying to figure out how it came to be at the above location. Perhaps it was ejected from an aircraft or discarded by someone wishing to be rid of it. Dummy rounds can be.used in gun system check-out, but it seemed strange to find a single round. According to a knowledgeable weapons technician at the Air National Guard in St. Louis, the external gun pods, SUU-16 and SUU-23, as mounted on the F4-C Phantom jet in the late 1960s and into the 1970s could eject spent cases or complete rounds while in flight. Normally, the internal guns on modern jet aircraft, such as the M61/GAU-7 cannon store the brass in the conveyor/drum assembly of the weapon and do not eject the brass. The Navys A4 Skyhawk, which mounts twin M39 guns in its wing roots, could also shuck brass externally. Two-prong electrical connectors and nozzle closures from either 2.25 or 3.25 rockets were also found at this site. These were probably practice or target rockets.

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8.0 Technical Data of Ordnance and Explosives 8.1 Ordnance Related Mission This was an aerial rocketry range and apparently also used for practice bombing in the 1940s. The only sign of rockets observed during the site visit was the electrical connectors from 2.25 or 3.25 rockets. 8.2 Description of Ordnance Target rockets and subcaliber types, such as the 2.25 SCAR would be expected on a range of this kind. The use of practice bombs like the loo-lb., 25-lb., and 3-lb. varieties is also not unusual. 8.3 Reference TM g-1325-200, Bombs and Bomb Components, dated 1966 TM g-1980, Bombs for Aircraft, dated 1950 TM g-1950, Rockets, dated 1950 NAVSEA OP 1664, U.S. Explosive Ordnance, dated 1947 NAVSEA OP 1415, Rocket Assemblies, dated 1955

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9.0 Evaluation

of Other

Site Information

The archive search did not reveal any additional areas of potential environmental concexmassociated with DOD use.

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r.

ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVES CHEMICAL WARFARE MATERIALS

ARCHIVE SEARCH REPORT FINDINGS

FOR

EL CENTRO ROCKET TARGET RANGE NO. 1(#92)

EL CENTRO, IMPERIAL PROJECT CALIFORNIA COUNTY

NO. J09CA014601

APPENDICES A. REFERENCES B. GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS

C. TEXT / MANUALS D. REPORTS /STUDIES E. LETTERS / MEMORANDA DOCUMENTS (NOT USED) / MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

F. REAL ESTATE

G. NEWSPAPER/JOURNALS H. INTERVIEWS I. PRESENT

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS PHOTOGRAPHS (NOT USED)

J. HISTORICAL K. HISTORICAL L. SITE SAFETY M. REPORT

MAPS / DRAWINGS AND HEALTH PLAN / SITE INSPECTION REPORT

DISTRIBUTION

LIST